Slim Fast chimes in on alleged weight gain

Let's call him Slim Fast Shady. Never one to miss a potential marketing opportunity, weight-loss giant Slim Fast has pounced on reports that Eminem has ballooned to more than 200 pounds. "Slim-Fast is a program that can really work for someone like Eminem; it's a doable and flexible approach," a spokesperson told OK! magazine. "Slim Fast would love to offer Eminem product and assistance to help him become a potential S-F success story."

The company even went so far as to design a diet plan for Slim Shady. The plan "is designed to meet Eminem's nutritional needs by providing a balance of lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats to help control hunger and keep him satisfied while promoting a healthy weight loss of 1-2 lbs. a week and a consumption of 1,900 calories a day. The plan also recommends 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity most days of the week."

Now if only the purveyors of various relaxation techniques and supplements would step in to aid those artists that might be experiencing some 'roid rage, hip-hop would be well on its way to a full recovery.

Stones sign one-album deal with Universal

Guy Hands has them tied. Hands, the head of UK label giant EMI since his private equity firm Terra Firma took it over last year, has seen a number of the label's longtime cash cows fly the coop recently, particularly Paul McCartney and Radiohead.

Now comes word that the Rolling Stones have signed a one-album deal with Universal Music group for the release of Shine A Light, the soundtrack to Martin Scorsese's concert film. The Universal deal likely spells the end of the Stones' 16-year partnership with EMI, given that the band's record contract with that label expires next month.

Earlier this week, Hands said that the label would allow for the corporate sponsorship of bands, as well as cut 1,500-2,000 jobs in order to free up $400 million. Still-contracted EMI artists such as Robbie Williams, the Verve, and Coldplay hinted at withholding new albums until EMI proved they were capable of appropriately promoting and distributing those releases.

Scorsese filmed Shine A Light during two Stones gigs in 2006 at Beacon Theatre in New York City. The film will debut at the Berlin Film Festival next month before hitting American cinemas on April 4th.

Allen confirms miscarriage

The elation of impending motherhood has been replaced by loss for UK pop starlet Lily Allen and her beau, Ed Simons of the Chemical Brothers. A spokesperson for Allen told USmagazine.com today that Allen, 22, had suffered a miscarriage.

"We can confirm that Lily Allen has suffered a miscarriage," the rep told the site. "She and her partner Ed Simons will be making no further comment and we ask that their privacy be respected during this difficult time."

UK paper The Sun first reported the news, with a source saying the couple was "in a state of shock." The couple had just returned home after a romantic holiday in the Maldives when she lost her baby.

Hendrix estate in yet another legal row

It seems nary a month goes by without the estate of Jimi Hendrix being involved in a lawsuit over the alleged misappropriation of his image and likeness, or the rights to his music. This time it's the latter, with estate-management firm Experience Hendrix issuing a statement condemning the purchase of North American rights to more than 200 live-performance music tracks by the legendary guitarist.

"Experience Hendrix is familiar with the material acquired by Fuego: It is a collection of inferior-quality bootleg recordings of Jimi Hendrix previously marketed in the UK by the now-defunct record company Purple Haze Records," the company said in the statement. "During the past several years Experience Hendrix filed legal actions in the UK against Purple Haze and its affiliates, and won several UK court judgments which held that Purple Haze had no legal rights to release these recordings, and enjoined any further release of same."

Lupe Fiasco talks retirement

Another round of press interviews for Lupe Fiasco has brought more talk that the Chicago rapper plans to hang up his mic after just one more album, which would be his third. In an interview with UK newspaper The Sun, Lupe said he plans to record one more album before moving on to other pursuits, particularly penning a book about a window washer.

"I have one more album in me, which I have called LupEND, and then I'm out. I've been doing this music hustle for eights years and have more things I still want to do," he said. "There are other ways besides putting out an album that allow me to channel my creative energy and I'm writing a book about a window washer. I will have more than enough to keep me busy."

Man sues promoter over Crue assault

An Illinois man who claims to have been beaten up by an unnamed Motley Crue band member and security during a concert is suing the promoter Live Nation. Gerald Schneeman, of Rockford, Ill., was at an Aerosmith and Motley Crue concert at the Ford Amphitheater on Nov. 22, 2006, according to the lawsuit filed on Monday.

The lawsuit states that Schneeman was standing in front of the stage when he was struck in the head with a guitar by a member of Motley Crue who was not named in the suit. The band member jumped from the stage and knocked Schneeman to the ground, according to the suit. Security came over and assaulted Schneeman, then dragged him from the venue, according to the suit.

He suffered bodily injury, scarring, and disfigurement, according to the suit, which seeks unspecified damages. Details of his injuries were not listed.